1978 Guild D-25M — Rebuilt by Ervin Somogyi in 1988Rare Vintage Guild With Significant Luthier History

Offered is a 1978 Guild D-25M, a vintage American-made Guild with an unusually interesting history. In 1988, this guitar was rebuilt by the legendary master luthier Ervin Somogyi, making it a particularly distinctive instrument for both players and collectors.

This is far more than simply an older Guild. It is a vintage American guitar that has been through the hands of one of the most respected names in modern acoustic lutherie.

A Vintage Guitar That's Meant to Be Played

What makes this guitar especially appealing is that it isn't simply an interesting piece of guitar history—it is a great-playing, great-sounding instrument.

The guitar has developed the mature character you look for in a well-seasoned vintage acoustic, with a rich, woody, resonant tone, strong projection, and a responsive feel that is difficult to duplicate in a newer instrument.

It responds well to both strumming and more detailed playing, with good presence and sustain. Rather than sounding stiff or overly bright, it has the seasoned tonal character associated with an older acoustic.

The guitar is also comfortable to play, making it an instrument to enjoy rather than simply display.

The Ervin Somogyi Connection

The most unusual part of this guitar's history is the 1988 rebuild by Ervin Somogyi.

Somogyi is widely regarded as one of the most influential and respected acoustic guitar makers and luthiers of his generation. His name is now associated with extraordinarily valuable hand-built instruments, making his involvement in the rebuilding of a vintage Guild a fascinating piece of lutherie history.

That history gives this guitar an identity of its own.

Why Is It Priced at $9,800?

I have found comparable vintage Guild instruments with significant restoration or rebuilding by Ervin Somogyi offered in the $16,000–$19,000 range. While every instrument is different and those asking prices are not necessarily an indication of what every Somogyi-associated Guild is worth, they provide useful perspective on the rarity and potential market for an instrument with this kind of history.

I am offering this guitar for $9,800 because I need to sell it and am pricing it for a relatively quick sale.

The price is therefore driven by my circumstances—not by a belief that this is an ordinary $9,800 guitar. Honestly, I don't want to sell it, and I certainly don't want to take a loss on it, but sometimes life happens and sacrifices have to be made.

For the right buyer, that creates an unusual opportunity to acquire a vintage Guild with nearly five decades of history and an Ervin Somogyi rebuild at substantially less than the comparable prices I have encountered.

My loss can be someone else's gain.

Highlights

• 1978 Guild D-25M
• Vintage American-made Guild
• Rebuilt by Ervin Somogyi in 1988
• Nearly 50 years old
• Mature, seasoned vintage tone
• Strong projection and resonance
• Responsive and enjoyable to play
• Unusual luthier provenance
• Excellent combination of player and collector appeal
• A genuine piece of American guitar history

For the Collector or Serious Player

There are many vintage Guild guitars available. There are considerably fewer with a history like this one.

The combination of a 1970s Guild, nearly five decades of age, and work performed by Ervin Somogyi makes this a particularly unusual instrument.

For a collector, the Somogyi connection and rebuilding history provide an important piece of provenance. For a player, the real attraction is simpler: it sounds like a vintage guitar and plays like an instrument that has been cared for and enjoyed.

This is the kind of guitar that deserves to be appreciated for both its history and its music.

Condition

This is a vintage instrument with decades of history and should be evaluated as such. It has the character and signs of age one would expect from an instrument of this era.

The guitar is being offered based on its vintage character, playing qualities, and unusual restoration history. Serious buyers are encouraged to ask questions and request additional photographs or information before purchase.

Serious inquiries welcome.

A guitar this unusual doesn't come along every day. Reasonable offer will be considered.